A GREAT NUMBER OF PEOPLE GATHERED FOR MORNING WORSHIP on Sunday 27th, far more than was expected. An opening time of sharing and testimony stirred much emotion among us as we heard people sharing from their hearts about God, their relationship with Him, and the chalenges He has brought their way. Captain Sue led us in a powerful prayer reflection which saw many move forward to place prayer stars on the mercy seat, some staying to pray for sometime. Captain Ian then opened God's Word - CHRIST WAS BORN..... SO WHAT! and got us to consider whether we hold a so what attitude? During some emotional moments, some people made further prayer at the mercy seat, and the meeting then concluded with refreshments.

CHRISTMAS DAY saw around 90 people sharing with us for the day, whilst others popped in and shared in our Carol Service. Over 100 shared in an hour of carols and of course our children were featured as well. Captain Ian led the service looking at what is important when it comes to Christmas. It was then time for more refreshments, and some quizzes after which we enjoyed a Christmas Meal. Captain Sue then did some singing, before the Queen was projected on our screen and gave her annual message, after which there was more refreshments and then a parcel and present to take home. We were so pleased to have shared this day again with people, and also to have had some a great volunteer team. Thank you to everyone who made this day so special.

A TEAM MET TOGETHER ON CHRISTMAS EVE to prepare parcels, food etc for Christmas Day. Parcels were also delivered around the borough on this evening

As Christmas approaches our captains opened their home as an opportunity for church members and friends, and neighbours, to come together for an OPEN HOUSE. From 4-7pm their house was buzzing with laughter and people enjoying eating the food provided. At the end of the event those remaining enjoyed singing some carols together.

The Church Family gathered together for a packed Christmas Meal, and raised over £250 towards our Christmas Project as a result. The traditional meal, saw 56 people come together to enjoy being family, and was great to share in this way just before we all get very busy with the Christmas rush (if we have not already of course!!!). We are so grateful to those who mucked in with preparing the meal, serving the meal and clearing up after the meal.

Despite the awful weather lots of people gathered together for our annual community carol service. Some had responded to personal invitations, others to leaflets and all gathered to enjoy a special morning together which included drama, music and dance. A special feature was our children, but so too was the presentation of the story of Babushka. Our musicians also took part in the meeting.

Our annual Christmas Concert, arranged by our corps sergeant major, Trevor Belcher, attracted a full hall, and raised about £1000, some will be given to our Christmas Day meals, and the other to our international water project we are supporting this year. The concert was compered by former corps leaders, Majors Lindy and Mark Rose, and featured our own band and singing group, supported by friends, and the Slinford hand bell ringers and John Noyce as guest soloist. Our children featured too and gave an excellent presentation to conclude the special event together

Chatt a box enjoyed two Christmas Parties this week. Our Thursday group was packed, but sadly due to the snow, only 17 children were able to share our Friday Party...... but a great time was had at both as Captain Susan led us in craft, songs, and introduced us to her special guest..... Father Christmas. He very kindly gave everyone gathered some present, and then we enjoyed some food together as well. Chatt a Box returns next year and we look forward to seeing you

We are grateful to our musicians - singers and players, who have been out and about sharing the Christmas news with many people. This has taken us into a number of homes and centres in Horsham, as well of course, the local town centre and Tesco.

Sunday 13th December saw our last in the series of WHAT CAN I GIVE HIM? reflections, shared by Captain Susan. This week we explored Myrrh and how this was symbolic of burial - reminding us that all the Kings gave reflected prophectic teaching about the Messiah that would be coming to the world. The picture reflects this weeks Sunday Challenge..... using toilet roll..... don't ask!!!!

advance notice of the special visit of Majors Telfer in January. Major Carol is the assistant secretary for personnel, and Major Ivor the assistant secretary for programme, both located at Territorial Headquarters.

Captain Ian explored the 2nd gift of the wise men, Franincense. In this we looked at the reality that GOD is among us, and celebrated this through exploring how it is we bow the knee in worship before Him. Here is a picture looking at gifts which were given out to some of our family - but no one wanted them..... it reminded us that God wants sincere heart felt worship.

MUSICIANS were out in force on Saturday to support our flag day which raised over £1500 in Horsham town centre. Our own bands men and women were supported by members of local brass band groups - many who have had links with The Salvation Army. We are grateful above all for the opportunity of chatting with people, and during some of the day we were able to encourage people to come and sing carols with us. The delightful weather while we gathered aided towards that - it started to rain when we left!!!

Over ninety families over the two days of toddler group at Horsham, took part in a Nativity morning. The children came dressed in costume and shared in a whole host of activities which helped them focus on the Christmas Story. Songs and stories were also used to help in this focus.

ADVENT SUNDAY focussed on the gift of Gold, and the Kingship of Jesus Christ. Captain Susan opened the word to us and challenged us to consider whether King Herod was our king or King Jesus?

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HORSHAM gathered together to launch Advent with a procession through the streets and concluding at the band stand for carol singing. Despite the poor weather a large crowd gathered and enjoyed this outdoor witness opportunity.

Members of our Home League enjoyed an afternoon drive to Crawley garden centre and valued time together walking around and drinking tea

SUNDAY 22ND NOVEMBER

Captain Ian today was away on divisional responsibilities, and so our worship meeting was led by Jeff Whittingham from Worthing Salvation Army

Sunday 15th November saw us welcoming a new adherent-member to our church - Helen Tuesley. Helen is seen here supported by our pastoral care council members. Helen was also supported by her family for her special occasion. Helen testified to finding acceptance, love and support at the church, and chose O Jesus I have promised as her song to support her welcoming into membership. Captain Susan preached today on Hope....does not disappoint us, and challenged us to be people of Hope and not Hopeless. Songs today included:- My Hope is build on nothing less; I was sinking deep in sin; Can you wonder?; I must have the Saviour with me; Father God I wonder; Come Home; When I was lost. The Sunday Challenge this week involved us all in a drama.

Despite horrid weather, the CHRISTMAS FAYRE held today was a great success and we saw loads of people coming to share with us. The fancy dress competition was won by Adam Woodgate, and two winners were announced by Heather Jones, in judging the colouring competition., Food, Stalls and Spagetti the clown were just part of the fun people enjoyed. Final total is yet to be announced

Sunday 8th November

Remembrance Sunday Worship was led by Captain Ian, and we welcomed friends from the Crawley Outreach Centre to worship with us. During moments of prayer, some made their prayers at the Mercy Seat.

Wednesday 4th November

Some of our corps leaders attending IMPACT a conference looking at resourcing and equipping people for mission and ministry to the third age. Captain Ian was one of the speakers of the day.

Sunday 1st November

Upon their return, the Captains led our worship meeting looking at Sinner? Saint? Captain Ian challenged us to consider whether, as new creations, we were living the new life as outlined in Scripture which changes our name from sinner to saint. Captain Susan took a pumpkin and cleared it out, reminding us of rubbish that clogs up in our lives, and then cut a cross through it, and placed a candle inside to remind us of the journey we take from the darkness into Light

Thursday 29th October

A service of thanksgiving for the life and influence of Eva Little took place at our church today, led by former leader, Captain Elizbaeth Lloyd

Sunday 25th October

Our leaders were away on holiday, so Vic Jannels, our music leader, led our morning worship meeting

EVA LITTLE

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Eva Little. Mrs Little suffered a stroke some weeks back and has been in a worthing hospital for quite some time since. We thank God that our lives were blessed as a church community in knowing her, and enjoying her presence, and at this time pray sincerely for her family and friends

Sunday 18th October

Major Mark Rose, now Business Services Director at the William Booth College, but at one time our corps officer with his wife Lindy, led morning worship. His focus was on the Lost!

Adult Ministries Celebration

Members and friends of the corps attended the annual divisional adult ministries celebration, this year featuring Lt Colonels Sylvia and Peter Daziel. In this we contributed £300 to the helping hand appeal for this year

Sunday 11th October

Captain Ian led worship and spoke on YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

CHAT A BOX our parent and toddler group, enjoyed sessions this past week of making pizzas

RESOURCE CENTRE is now opened, providing good value Christian books, music, gifts, cards and more to support and resource our membership, as well as to be able to purchase to give to others. The resource centre also has information leaflets and hand outs relating to the mission and ministry of the church

Harvest Sunday saw a good number of members and friends gathering together for worship and celebration. A beautiful display adorned the hall, arranged by June Belcher. Our children added to that display during the meeting by bringing in contributions of fruit and vegetables. Our meeting was led by Majors Muriel and Tom Calder who looked at the farmer in their reflections from The Word. Following our worship meeting, a number stayed to enjoy a lovely harvest meal together.

More pictures from Horsham's Got Talent

HARVEST 2009 started with a beautiful harvest supper arranged by our home league secretary Anne Denyer. Many members and friends gathered together to enjoy this time together, which was followed by Horsham's Got Talent, compered by Michael and Jackie. The talent event, was a real harvest of talents which featured many members of the church - and showed what a blessing of gifts we have among our membership, that God has brought together. We are of course, very grateful to all those who took part in some way.

HORSHAM MATTERS, a united church project in Horsham opened this past Saturday, and was opened by the chairperson of the Horsham District Council. The project prior to its opening was successful, and has continued to be. The opening was very well supported. Vida Lyne, who is a soldier at our corps, has been partly responsible for the project, and we as a church are not only pleased to be receiving some support from it, but able to support it, especially through the offers of furniture that we have been given.

Captain Susan led a two week series looking at The Kingdom of God, and how that is expressed in and through us. The first week she explored JOY and how joy is lasting...happiness is passing. Captain Ian was away this Sunday on DHQ responsibilities. The following Sunday, Captain looked at PEACE and how this is called to reign in our hearts, and be lived out among us in the situations we face, as well as with the people we meet.

SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER. Our meeting today focussed on Go....do something. Captain Ian led, and reminded us of the song - we're busy doing nothing, and how the danger is that at times we think we are doing, we think we are busy, but there is little to show for it. Captain married that together with the call from Scripture to go and do something to make a difference to the world. Captain also reminded everyone of Williams Booths guidance to his son Bramwell, to go and do something for the needs and situations around them. Due to some of our musicans being away the band did not play, but our singing group sang, Nothing by the Blood. Songs used today: Storms the forts of darkness; When I was lost you; We are a shining Light; Help us to help each other Lord; How can I better serve You Lord?; In Life's early splendour.

SUNDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2009.

Captain Ian led our meeting which focused on SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, and the way in which God wants to come and do something beautiful in us and through us. The band played 'My God is so big', and the singing group contributed 'One life to live'. The Sunday Challenge got us to consider what we could do with something simple.... and make something amazing out of it. Songs used today included:- Let us sing of His Love once again; When I was lost He came and rescued me; Do something beautiful; We are the hands of Christ; Precious Saviour we are coming; Let all the world in every corner sing.

SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2009

An evening music festival featuring families from Croydon Citadel Salvation Army was enjoyed by a packed congregation. A wide variety of music was featured, as well as a good opportunity to be chalenged through the opening of God's Word. The event was arranged by Vic and Sheila Jannells, for which we are so grateful, as we are to our brothers and sisters in Croydon.

SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST 2009

Captains Ian and Susan led our celebration meeting which was based around encouragement. A new addition, our Sunday Challenge, got people to encourage one another, and Captain Ian followed this through by encouraging those gathering to be encouraged through God's Word, and looking at Hebrews remembering the fact that we are encouraged to Draw near to God; to rid ourselves of sin; to encourage each other; to use our gifts; to keep meeting together. Following our morning worship, the captains invited us all back to their home for an open house and over thirty took this opportunity.

This picture was taken on the welcome sunday to Captains Woodgate.

SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2009 After five years of leadership from Major Kevin and Captain Catherine Rand, we welcomed our new leaders, Captains Ian and Susan Woodgate, who have joined us after a year in Croydon. They come with their three children, Grace, Adam and Hope. Major Andy Cox, the new divisional director for evangelism led through worship and the induction ceremony. Captain Ian brought the Ministry of The Word looking at OUR GOD REIGNS, and took us back some 16 years to when he led his first meeting in Horsham, based on the same theme.